Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-02-04

CELEBRATING PARADISE GYM

HealthcareEnvironmentEducationInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-02-04, Representative Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA-31) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING PARADISE GYM" in the House. The speech addressed healthcare and also covered the environment, education.

Full Text

CELEBRATING PARADISE GYM

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [House] [Pages H1982-H1983] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING PARADISE GYM (Mr. Cisneros of California was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, as every local businessowner knows, every [[Page H1983]] penny counts, especially during the holiday season. Elsa Duenez, owner of Paradise Gym in San Dimas, took this busy and valuable time to use their business to give back to the community by organizing a month-long fundraiser and toy drive to support the children and families of the City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment hospitals in the United States. Paradise Gym encouraged patrons and community members to donate new toys to children and their families, sharing the message that donating toys not only gives joy but offers hope to those navigating cancer treatments and care for their loved ones. The support and community of southern California is unlike any other, and I am so proud to see our neighbors come together and give back. This is a true testament to the character of Paradise Gym and the power of community and service. I thank Elsa and the staff at Paradise Gym for their commitment to service. We are so grateful for them. Congratulating Rorimer Elementary School Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge an outstanding accomplishment by Rorimer Elementary School in La Puente, California, a part of the Rowland Unified School District in California's 31st District. Rorimer Elementary has been designated as a 2026 Seal of Excellence School by the California Association for Bilingual Education, one of only four schools in California awarded this designation after undergoing an extensive review process. This award recognizes schools for their strong vision for biliteracy, multicultural competency, and educational equity. As a Spanish dual language immersion school, Rorimer Elementary has demonstrated notable gains in academic achievements and bilingual proficiency among English learners using effective research-based instructional strategies. Rorimer Elementary's success has been built through creation of a school-wide culture that embraces and celebrates developing students' bilingual language proficiency and cultural awareness in grades TK-6. The strong relationship built between Rorimer's teachers, staff, and families has been central to the school's success. Congratulations to the team at Rorimer Elementary for setting an amazing example for bilingual education. Recognizing Christopher Nigg on His Retirement Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former La Verne Fire Chief Christopher Nigg for his distinguished time of service with the La Verne Fire Department. While in service at the department, he led significant operational and organizational advancements, strengthening emergency response, workforce readiness, and regional integration. Chief Nigg worked collaboratively with regional partners to enhance service-and-response delivery, fostering a culture of professionalism, trust, and shared accountability focused on serving the community. Notably, he led the department to streamline emergency response with an efficient ambulance operator program and established a comprehensive succession plan for long-term organizational stability. I am so grateful for his leadership and service, promoting safety for the community in California's 31st District. He will be remembered as a team player, fierce advocate for fire prevention, and an innovative leader. We wish him the best in the next chapter of his life. Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66 Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the most famous road in the country, Route 66, and it travels right through the 31st Congressional District in California. Last month, the city of Azusa unveiled its Route 66 centennial monument and mural at the newly designated Route 66 Tribute Corner in honor of this historic highway. This new mural and monument are part of a series of monuments that will be unveiled from Chicago to Santa Monica as part of the official project organized by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. Mr. Speaker, we are excited that many will continue to get their kicks on Route 66, as we celebrate this historic highway that connected our community to the rest of the country and opened up a pathway for migration, tourism, and development in the San Gabriel Valley and the great State of California. ____________________

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CELEBRATING PARADISE GYM Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [House] [Pages H1982-H1983] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING PARADISE GYM (Mr. Cisneros of California was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, as every local businessowner knows, every [[Page H1983]] penny counts, especially during the holiday season. Elsa Duenez, owner of Paradise Gym in San Dimas, took this busy and valuable time to use their business to give back to the community by organizing a month-long fundraiser and toy drive to support the children and families of the City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment hospitals in the United States. Paradise Gym encouraged patrons and community members to donate new toys to children and their families, sharing the message that donating toys not only gives joy but offers hope to those navigating cancer treatments and care for their loved ones. The support and community of southern California is unlike any other, and I am so proud to see our neighbors come together and give back. This is a true testament to the character of Paradise Gym and the power of community and service. I thank Elsa and the staff at Paradise Gym for their commitment to service. We are so grateful for them. Congratulating Rorimer Elementary School Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge an outstanding accomplishment by Rorimer Elementary School in La Puente, California, a part of the Rowland Unified School District in California's 31st District. Rorimer Elementary has been designated as a 2026 Seal of Excellence School by the California Association for Bilingual Education, one of only four schools in California awarded this designation after undergoing an extensive review process. This award recognizes schools for their strong vision for biliteracy, multicultural competency, and educational equity. As a Spanish dual language immersion school, Rorimer Elementary has demonstrated notable gains in academic achievements and bilingual proficiency among English learners using effective research-based instructional strategies. Rorimer Elementary's success has been built through creation of a school-wide culture that embraces and celebrates developing students' bilingual language proficiency and cultural awareness in grades TK-6. The strong relationship built between Rorimer's teachers, staff, and families has been central to the school's success. Congratulations to the team at Rorimer Elementary for setting an amazing example for bilingual education. Recognizing Christopher Nigg on His Retirement Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize former La Verne Fire Chief Christopher Nigg for his distinguished time of service with the La Verne Fire Department. While in service at the department, he led significant operational and organizational advancements, strengthening emergency response, workforce readiness, and regional integration. Chief Nigg worked collaboratively with regional partners to enhance service-and-response delivery, fostering a culture of professionalism, trust, and shared accountability focused on serving the community. Notably, he led the department to streamline emergency response with an efficient ambulance operator program and established a comprehensive succession plan for long-term organizational stability. I am so grateful for his leadership and service, promoting safety for the community in California's 31st District. He will be remembered as a team player, fierce advocate for fire prevention, and an innovative leader. We wish him the best in the next chapter of his life. Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66 Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the most famous road in the country, Route 66, and it travels right through the 31st Congressional District in California. Last month, the city of Azusa unveiled its Route 66 centennial monument and mural at the newly designated Route 66 Tribute Corner in honor of this historic highway. This new mural and monument are part of a series of monuments that will be unveiled from Chicago to Santa Monica as part of the official project organized by the U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission. Mr. Speaker, we are excited that many will continue to get their kicks on Route 66, as we celebrate this historic highway that connected our community to the rest of the country and opened up a pathway for migration, tourism, and development in the San Gabriel Valley and the great State of California. ____________________